Air Fryer Nutella Chocolate Chip Croissants

There’s something magical about biting into a warm, flaky croissant filled with melted chocolate. These Air Fryer Nutella Chocolate Chip Croissants bring bakery-quality treats right to your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum flavor. The best part? You’ll have these golden, gooey delights ready in less than 15 minutes from start to finish.

Using store-bought crescent roll dough as a shortcut, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an impressive snack, dessert, or special breakfast treat. The combination of creamy Nutella and chocolate chips creates a double-chocolate experience that’s absolutely irresistible. Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend treat, an after-school snack, or something special to serve unexpected guests, these croissants are your answer.

The air fryer is the secret weapon here, creating that perfect golden-brown exterior with a tender, flaky interior while keeping the chocolate filling wonderfully gooey. Unlike traditional oven baking, the air fryer works faster and doesn’t require preheating, making this recipe ideal for those moments when you need something delicious in a hurry.

What You’ll Need

Main Ingredients:

• 1 12-ounce can Pillsbury big and flaky crescent rolls
• 5 tablespoons Nutella (approximately 2 teaspoons per croissant)
• ¼ cup chocolate chips (about ½ tablespoon per croissant)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water or 2% milk

Optional Toppings:

• Melted chocolate chips for drizzling
• Warm honey
• Powdered sugar

Equipment:

• Air fryer
• Cooking spray or parchment paper
• Pastry brush
• Small bowl for egg wash

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Croissants:

Begin by opening your can of crescent rolls and carefully separating each triangle. Lay them flat on a clean work surface, making sure each piece is fully unrolled and the perforations are separated. This gives you a clean canvas to work with and ensures even filling distribution.

Take your Nutella and spread approximately 2 teaspoons across the entire surface of each croissant triangle. Don’t worry about being too precise—a butter knife or small offset spatula works perfectly for this step. The goal is to cover the dough evenly so every bite has that chocolate-hazelnut goodness. Make sure to spread the Nutella all the way to the edges, as it will melt and redistribute slightly during cooking.

Adding the Chocolate Chips:

Place about half a tablespoon of chocolate chips on the wide end of each triangle. This is the end you’ll start rolling from, so positioning the chips here ensures they get wrapped into the center of your croissant. The chocolate chips add wonderful texture and pockets of melted chocolate that complement the smooth Nutella perfectly.

Rolling Technique:

Starting at the wide end where you placed the chocolate chips, begin rolling the dough toward the pointed end. Roll gently but firmly, tucking the filling inside as you go. The rolling motion should be smooth and continuous—think of it like rolling a sleeping bag. When you reach the tip, tuck it underneath slightly or press it gently against the croissant to help it stay sealed during cooking.

Creating the Egg Wash:

In a small bowl, crack your egg and add one tablespoon of water or 2% milk. Whisk these together thoroughly until completely combined and slightly frothy. This egg wash serves multiple purposes: it helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown color, adds a subtle sheen to the finished croissants, and helps seal the dough layers together.

Using a pastry brush, gently brush the egg wash over the entire surface of each uncooked croissant. Pay special attention to any seams or the tucked tip to help everything stay together during air frying. Don’t skip this step—the egg wash is what gives your croissants that professional bakery appearance.

Air Frying Process:

Prepare your air fryer basket by spraying it generously with cooking spray. Alternatively, you can line it with parchment paper cut to fit, which makes cleanup even easier. This step is crucial because the butter in the crescent roll dough can cause sticking without proper preparation.

Arrange the croissants in a single layer in the basket, leaving some space between each one. They will expand and spread slightly during cooking, so don’t crowd them. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to work in batches.

Set your air fryer to 360°F and cook for 8 minutes. While this might seem like it produces a deep golden color, this timing is essential—anything less and the center won’t cook through properly. The outside should be beautifully golden brown and crispy, while the inside remains soft and flaky with perfectly melted chocolate.

Final Touches:

Once your croissants emerge from the air fryer, you can serve them as-is or dress them up with optional garnishes. A light drizzle of melted chocolate chips adds extra decadence. Brush them with warm honey for a glossy finish and subtle sweetness. A dusting of powdered sugar gives them an elegant, bakery-style presentation.

Chef’s Tips and Tricks

The 8-minute cooking time might seem like it makes the croissants too dark, but resist the urge to reduce it. Testing has shown that anything less leaves the center doughy and undercooked. The deep golden color is actually perfect and indicates properly cooked dough throughout.

Always use cooking spray or parchment paper in your air fryer basket. The buttery dough will stick without it, potentially ruining your beautiful croissants and making cleanup difficult.

For the most even cooking, avoid overcrowding the basket. If necessary, work in two batches rather than trying to fit everything at once. Proper air circulation is key to achieving that perfect texture.

Storage and Reheating

While these croissants are undeniably best served fresh and warm, you can store leftovers successfully. For room temperature storage, place cooled croissants in an airtight container where they’ll stay good for 3-4 days. If you prefer refrigerator storage, they’ll last about a week, though the texture may become slightly drier over time.

When you’re ready to enjoy leftovers, a quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave will warm them through and soften the chocolate filling again. You can also pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to refresh the exterior crispiness.

Serving Suggestions

These versatile croissants work beautifully for various occasions. Serve them for a special weekend breakfast alongside fresh fruit and coffee. They make an impressive yet easy dessert when plated with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Pack them in lunchboxes for a sweet treat, or set them out for guests at brunch gatherings.

The combination of convenience and deliciousness makes these Air Fryer Nutella Chocolate Chip Croissants a recipe you’ll return to again and again.

Nutrition Information (per croissant)

Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 46IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg